New camper home, pin box concerns,

[fjrjohnny]

The seller was kind enough to deliver the '09 KZ Sportsmen Toyhauler. He did so by using his short box pickup with a slider hitch that was set-up for the trailer in question.

After backing my '09 F350 with a long box under the camper and stopping when the king pin was just ahead of the axle, there is only around 7" of clearance between the truck and camper. Because the truck is yet to be equipped with a hitch, it can't hooked-up to see how the clearance would actually work. But by appearances alone, the distance looks to be inadequate.

Arrangements have been made to have a standard Pullrite fifth wheel hitch installed, and a used Dexter/Leland 7920 pin box has been acquired. I'm told that the this pin box is 8" longer that the one on the camper right now. That is a Leland AF7910, which is approximately 16" from the camper end of the box to the center of the pin.

Am hoping that the additional 8" of clearance will be enough, but an somewhat worried that the longer pin box may strike the top of the bedrail, which is at stock height. My truck is equipped with a truck camper suspension and Firestone Air Bags, and it sits up a bit in the rear.

Has anyone experienced a similar issue, or can anyone shed some advise?

Thanks in advance, John

[rhagfo]

So if the 5er has a normal pin box and the 5th Wheel hitch is installed per Manufacture instructions you shouldn't have an issue.

Our first 5er, when we hooked up the 1st time thought the same thing, need to go up the street to turn around, did some tight turns and not an issue. Sorry but these are the best pictures of the clearance between the 5er and the bumper.
I didn't know I had one of the Ram connected to it.

[majorgator]

With all due respect, I think that you're getting ahead of yourself and overthinking the matter. Our 5er had a standard Lippert 1621 pin box (we switched to a More-Ryde). With my long bed F350, I'd have to say that there was at least 12" clearance from the front of the camper to the bumper. If it were me, I'd put the hitch on the truck and see where it lands before investing too much concern.

[Memphisdoug]

laknox wrote:

fjrjohnny wrote:
The seller was kind enough to deliver the '09 KZ Sportsmen Toyhauler. He did so by using his short box pickup with a slider hitch that was set-up for the trailer in question.

After backing my '09 F350 with a long box under the camper and stopping when the king pin was just ahead of the axle, there is only around 7" of clearance between the truck and camper. Because the truck is yet to be equipped with a hitch, it can't hooked-up to see how the clearance would actually work. But by appearances alone, the distance looks to be inadequate.

Arrangements have been made to have a standard Pullrite fifth wheel hitch installed, and a used Dexter/Leland 7920 pin box has been acquired. I'm told that the this pin box is 8" longer that the one on the camper right now. That is a Leland AF7910, which is approximately 16" from the camper end of the box to the center of the pin.

Am hoping that the additional 8" of clearance will be enough, but an somewhat worried that the longer pin box may strike the top of the bedrail, which is at stock height. My truck is equipped with a truck camper suspension and Firestone Air Bags, and it sits up a bit in the rear.

Has anyone experienced a similar issue, or can anyone shed some advise?

Thanks in advance, John

7" is, for most purposes, adequate clearance. The only time you might need/want more is if you boondock a lot and get into rougher country. Personally, I don't think you need a longer pin box whatsoever. With air bags, you can control the level of the truck, but it's not real likely to make much difference in the bed clearance. IF you decide you need more clearance, you may be able to adjust the suspension height by moving the spring shackles to a lower hole (if available) or (again, if available) put the springs on top of the axles. Beyond that, you'd need to go to more extreme measures, the most common being to add a sub-frame between the frame and the spring hangars to raise the entire FW.

Lyle

His concern is back of truck to front of fifth wheel clearance not clearance to the top of the bed

[laknox]

fjrjohnny wrote:
The seller was kind enough to deliver the '09 KZ Sportsmen Toyhauler. He did so by using his short box pickup with a slider hitch that was set-up for the trailer in question.

After backing my '09 F350 with a long box under the camper and stopping when the king pin was just ahead of the axle, there is only around 7" of clearance between the truck and camper. Because the truck is yet to be equipped with a hitch, it can't hooked-up to see how the clearance would actually work. But by appearances alone, the distance looks to be inadequate.

Arrangements have been made to have a standard Pullrite fifth wheel hitch installed, and a used Dexter/Leland 7920 pin box has been acquired. I'm told that the this pin box is 8" longer that the one on the camper right now. That is a Leland AF7910, which is approximately 16" from the camper end of the box to the center of the pin.

Am hoping that the additional 8" of clearance will be enough, but an somewhat worried that the longer pin box may strike the top of the bedrail, which is at stock height. My truck is equipped with a truck camper suspension and Firestone Air Bags, and it sits up a bit in the rear.

Has anyone experienced a similar issue, or can anyone shed some advise?

Thanks in advance, John

7" is, for most purposes, adequate clearance. The only time you might need/want more is if you boondock a lot and get into rougher country. Personally, I don't think you need a longer pin box whatsoever. With air bags, you can control the level of the truck, but it's not real likely to make much difference in the bed clearance. IF you decide you need more clearance, you may be able to adjust the suspension height by moving the spring shackles to a lower hole (if available) or (again, if available) put the springs on top of the axles. Beyond that, you'd need to go to more extreme measures, the most common being to add a sub-frame between the frame and the spring hangars to raise the entire FW.

Lyle

Later: OK, 7" between bumper and FW is =not= enough, so the longer pin box is likely necessary. A hitch, like the B&W Companion, allows you to move the hitch point fore and aft; others may have the same option.

[newman_fulltime]

Personally your wasting money on a longer pin box.A level trailer is a level trailer it just means you will lower the hitch or pull unlevel.All longer will do is put the trailer further back.If your concern is turning clearance the look into a Reese revolution or sidewinder kingpin

[fjrjohnny]

The distance is between the truck's rear bumper and the front of the camper.

Will try to post.

[Memphisdoug]

Is the 7" of clearance you speak of between the truck bumper and fifth wheel or the top of the box and fifth wheel?

Can you post a picture to show your concerns?